Verne A. Thibodeaux has served as the pharmacy manager of the CVS Pharmacy in the Super Target on Carroll Street since 2009.
Being at one location for 17 years has given Thibodeaux the privilege of seeing his patients grow. One example, he said, is a current college student who is set to graduate in a couple months. Thibodeaux has been her pharmacist since she was a little girl.
“I remember she used to cry, so I would always give her a little stuffed animal,” he said. “(She recently told me), ‘You remember when I used to cry and you would give me a stuffed animal? Well, I’m not going to cry this year.’”
Thibodeaux moved to North Texas in 2000 and Fort Worth in 2007. He lives 15 miles away from the CVS he works in and has been given several opportunities to move to another CVS closer to his home. He’s also worked through a company acquisition in 2015 when CVS purchased the Target pharmacy and clinic businesses.
He doesn’t plan on leaving anytime soon.
“I love the people, I love my team, and I just love my area,” Thibodeaux said.
The Fort Worthian’s dedication to his patients earned him recognition in 52 Faces of Community, the Fort Worth Report’s weekly series spotlighting unsung heroes in Tarrant County.
Thibodeaux first became interested in becoming a pharmacist after shadowing a family friend in his practice. He was drawn specifically to community pharmacies — most pharmacies are outside of medical institutions — because of the connection made with clients.
At his pharmacy, Thibodeaux makes sure to develop relationships with patrons in order to build trust. One of those ways is informing guests — a descriptor Thibodeaux gives the pharmacy’s clients — of prescription saving cards they might not know about, said Cynthia Wahl, a graphic designer and client of Thibodeaux’s for the last five years.
“I’m always amazed at how great he handles everybody,” Wahl said. “He gives everybody tips on what to do for their pharmacy needs.”
“It’s probably not the most convenient (pharmacy) for me to get to, but I still go to it because he’s there.”
Cynthia Wahl, nominator
Thibodeaux’s approach isn’t necessarily groundbreaking — community pharmacies often require a more human touch than pharmacies in hospitals and other clinical settings.
But the people-centered approach is more valuable in that area of Fort Worth. The CVS is in an area with a higher concentration of older and younger folks, Thibodeaux said. Those age groups end up valuing the stability, kindness and guidance the CVS provides.
“We’re more accessible where if they can’t get in touch with their doctor or nurse practitioner, they can always call us or come and talk to us and get our opinion,” Thibodeaux said.
“It’s probably not the most convenient (pharmacy) for me to get to, but I still go to it because he’s there,” Wahl said.
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Thibodeaux jokes that the trust built up with patrons makes it hard to go on vacation.
“They say, ‘Where have you been? We thought you left,’” he said. “And I’m just like, ‘Look at the picture on the wall. As long as my picture is up there, I’m still here.’”
The empathy-driven style is not isolated to patients. Because of the connections made between pharmacy staff, the CVS sees higher retention rates than others. Two of the pharmacy technicians have been there for 14 and 15 years respectively.
In his time at the CVS, Thibodeaux’s kindness-first business model has been economically fruitful. The pharmacy has continued to grow, leading him to being constantly busy.
He doesn’t mind that, though. In fact, he enjoys it.
“It’s a job for me, but this is just what I do. And I love what I do,” Thibodeaux said. “Every day I come in and I’m excited.”
Ismael M. Belkoura is the health reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at ismael.belkoura@fortworthreport.org.
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